What Does It Take to Study and Work in Veterinary Medicine?
Considering a career in veterinary medicine? You might want to listen to this interview with Dr. Leah Knapp, veterinarian, college professor and pre-vet advisor.
I went to high school with Leah, and she graduated as a co-valedictorian of her class. Back then I knew that she wanted to become a veterinarian. She has gone on to a rewarding career in veterinary medicine and higher education. It’s been fun reconnecting with someone who I always liked and respected.
Leah is a professor of biology at Olivet College (MI). She teaches many biology, medical, ecology and environmental classes. After earning an undergraduate degree in Animal Science at Rutgers, she went on to complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. Before joining the faculty at Olivet in 1990, Dr. Knapp practiced small animal and exotic pet medicine. She has won many teaching, service and mentoring awards, and was named Young Achiever of the Year for MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Leah used to show and train horses. She also trains dogs and helps their owners fix behavior problems.
Leah mentors and advises students in many roles, pre-veterinary advising is only one of them. Listen to Dr. Knapp. Get answers to these questions, and more:
- What does it take to become a veterinarian?
- How should someone prepare to become a veterinarian while in high school and college, and be admitted to veterinary school?
- What leads “pre-vets” to give up on the idea of a career in veterinary medicine?
- Are there options outside of veterinary medicine for people who love animals or animal science?
In advance of this interview, Leah told me that veterinarians are medical doctors that work on all animals, except humans.
Students of veterinary medicine even learn where human medicine diverges from veterinary medicine. Medicine is medicine, human or non-human. I have to add that veterinarians must also be empathic, be adept at healing owners spirits when their animals become ill. That too, is a part of medicine.
Leah is not only intelligent; she is also quite approachable. If you would like to ask her any questions about biological sciences or veterinary medicine, please contact her at lknapp@olivetcollege.edu.
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